Beneath the bruises by Dywane D Birch(
Book
)
7
editions published
between
2008
and
2012
in
English
and held by
234
libraries
worldwide
A courageous African-American housewife and mother of five seeks freedom from domestic abuse in Birch's powerful ode to self-renewal (and her own work with domestic violence victims). When Syreeta Lynch marries Randall Michael Taylor III, her high school sweetheart, she has no idea that, 11 years later, she'll feel trapped by her perfect union. In that time, Randy becomes a successful investment banker, but also a manipulative monster with no qualms about physically and emotionally punishing his 32-year-old wife when she doesn't behave according to his whims. Then Syreeta's chance encounter with therapist Dr. Jordan Curtis leads her to seek help. With an intense first-person narration, Birch depicts Syreeta's journey of healing; raw, intimate struggles with Randy, revealing sessions with Dr. Curtis and a late-book conversation with her angry older son, K'wan, are especially well-wrought. Syreeta's Aunt Edie dispenses advice on the nature and importance of responsibility (Every day is a choice), in case the empower-yourself message didn't quite make it through; if readers can forgive Birch's occasional excesses, they'll find this an honest and inspiring novel

Silent cry by Dywane D Birch(
Book
)
4
editions published
between
2012
and
2014
in
English
and held by
139
libraries
worldwide
Examines the life of K'wan Taylor, a fourteen year-old boy who comes to grips with the memory of growing up in a home with an abusive father

Shattered souls by Dywane D Birch(
Book
)
5
editions published
between
1999
and
2014
in
English
and held by
117
libraries
worldwide
A thought-provoking, emotionally charged novel that explores the lingering effects of childhood turmoil on four thirty-something friends. Since meeting in college, Britton, Indera, Damascus, and Chyna have each gone on to success and acclaim. But beneath the surface, all four are struggling with demons, striving to mask the deep emotional wounds they sustained long ago. Through riveting first-person narratives, Dywane D. Birch reveals the secret that keeps each character tied to the past, unwilling or unable to commit to a loving relationship. As repressed childhood memories creep back into their lives to haunt and control them, and carefully constructed veneers begin to crack, the bonds of their friendship are tested as never before. In candid, raw prose, Birch explores the potentially devastating consequences of childhood abuse and mistreatment, but also pays tribute to human courage and perseverance in a heartfelt, unforgettably powerful novel that heralds a remarkable talent

From my soul to yours by Dywane D Birch(
Book
)
2
editions published
in
2007
in
English
and held by
108
libraries
worldwide
A much-anticipated sequel that is a steamy, page-turning story of friendship, drama, and love tossed about in the storms of life. Readers are brought back into the lives of friends and lovers Indera, Britton, Damascus, and Chyna, all who continue to struggle with their desires and demons in life. As their lives intertwine with others, delicious and dirty secrets start to overflow, threatening the orderly world they've worked to create for themselves. Indera is learning that some matters of the heart are beyond her control, and that, rather than clinging to revenge, her path to freedom is found in forgiveness. Damascus believes he's found his soulmate in Indera, but wonders if her crazy antics will send him running. Britton is recovering from yet another failed relationship and learns the disturbing truth about the mother of his twin boys. And Chyna and Sarina, mother and daughter, come to odds as Chyna must separate from her daughter or risk losing herself to Sarina's increasingly unstable world of paranoia. Lastly is Celeste, a woman with a mysterious past who tries to manipulate events among the many friends, only to get entangled in her own trap. With volatile emotion brewing in everyone's hearts and explosive decisions being forced in every moment, From My Soul to Yours is an engrossing tale of the shelters people seek during troubled times -- sure to delight, entertain, and enlighten Dywane D. Birch's fans